20,000 foster kids adopted so far through website

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials say 20,000 foster children have been adopted after being listed on a national website that links adoptive families with kids.

The number is especially significant because the majority of those adopted were not infants, but many were teens, minorities and those with disabilities.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius praised the efforts, but said Thursday that many more children still need permanent homes. More than 100,000 of the country’s roughly 400,000 foster kids are looking for adoptive families.

The website, AdoptUSKids.org, gives prospective parents background information and a photo of each child. Once a parent indicates an interest, the website connects them with the child’s caseworker.

Actor Bruce Willis was the face of the campaign when President George W. Bush launched it in 2002.